Chance to comment on fishermen’s memorial

THE PUBLIC are being given a chance to comment on the centrepiece of a fishermen’s memorial, following a storm of criticism.

It follows the furore over the abstract “silent bell” centrepiece for the £250,000 memorial in Hull, which has been slated as meaningless and an “insult” to the fishing industry.

Chairman of fishing heritage group Stand Charles Pinder said there would be “some alterations” to make it look more like the superstructure of a trawler, but rejected claims they had got it wrong.

There will be further public consultation at the city’s Maritime Museum for people to comment, he said.

Beverley-based Peter Naylor, who created the popular tribute to the men of the 158 Squadron at Lissett and more recently to the Women’s Land Army, said his figurative design, which was among more than 60 rejected by a jury panel, showing 19 members of a crew, had more of an emotional connection with trawlermen’s families.

He said: “I don’t think the average fishing family want an abstract piece of work – when you get into ‘What does this mean? Someone explain it to me’ I think you have lost the plot.”

He said his design would cost far less and would have used two Hull companies for the stonework and engineering.